Registered nurses in Arizona earned more than average in 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The mean annual wage for RNs in the Grand Canyon State was $70,220 in 2010, compared to the national rate of $67,720 for these professionals. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the state earned a mean yearly salary of $48,390 as of May 2010. Arizona nursing schools online can prepare aspiring health care professionals to take advantage of these opportunities.

The U.S. Census Bureau counted more than 6 million residents in 2010, and the state population has grown far faster than average. Between 2000 and 2010, the average growth rate for the U.S. was 9.7 percent, compared to the 24.6 percent increase in Arizona during that decade. The populace also includes a higher than average number of persons aged 65 and over, which might lead to demand for qualified health care staff.

Programs at online nursing schools in Arizona

The state is home to several campus-based and distance learning schools. The Arizona State University College of Nursing and Health Innovation has created online programs such as these:

• RN-BSN Entry Option: opportunity for nurses with associate degrees or diplomas to complete upper-division course degree requirements leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Master of Health Care Innovation: multi-disciplinary program for nursing and non-nursing majors
• Ph.D. in Nursing and Health Care Innovation: available for B.S.-Ph.D. and M.S.-Ph.D. to study health policy, education and research, both on-campus and online

University of Phoenix has graduated more than 36,000 nurses in the program's 25-year history. Some degrees require clinical work that can be arranged locally in Arizona. The university offers entry- and advanced-level degrees such as the following:

• RN to BSN
• Master of Science in Nursing: open to holders of BSN degrees seeking to learn skills for leadership roles
• Master of Science in Nursing/Informatics
• Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Business Administration/Health Care Management
• Master of Science in Nursing/Nursing/Health Care Education

The availability of Arizona nursing schools online can help make education more accessible for potential students. This forward-looking approach and willingness to innovate recommend the state as a place to study.